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For Apple, privacy and security are core principles that guide the design of its products, platforms, and services. Built into all of its devices and platforms are features that help protect users\u2019 personal data, reduce exposure to scams, and offer users greater control over their digital lives.<\/p>\n
With the release of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and watchOS 26, Apple has introduced even more tools designed to keep users\u2019 communication, financial information, and personal data secure. From Apple Pay\u2019s fraud prevention technology to features like Hide My Email and Call Screening, Apple\u2019s integrated approach ensures that safety and privacy are easily accessible to users and practical to use.<\/p>\n
In this article, we have a look at how these features can help users to safeguard their personal information and hopefully prevent scams and fraudulent transactions from occurring. <\/p>\n<\/p>\nUse or turn these features on to protect yourself<\/p>\n
<\/svg><\/button><\/p>\n\n1. Apple Pay <\/li>\n 2. iCloud Private Relay\u00a0<\/li>\n 3. Hide My Email <\/li>\n 4. Call and Message screening <\/li>\n 5. Apple Passkeys <\/li>\n 6. Stolen Device Protection<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n1. Apple Pay <\/h2>\n\nApple Pay will work with most bank cards you link it with. <\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Originally launched in 2014, Apple Pay<\/b> has quietly grown into one of Apple\u2019s most effective security tools. While most people know it for its convenience, the payment service has also played a major role in reducing fraudulent transactions.<\/p>\n
According to Jennifer Bailey, Apple\u2019s Vice President of Apple Pay and Wallet, Apple Pay has helped prevent more than US$1 billion in fraudulent credit and debit card transactions in the past year. Based on the company\u2019s internal data and figures from industry partners, fraud rates on Apple Pay were reported to be over 60% lower than traditional card swipes<\/b>, and in some cases, the reduction can reach as high as 85% to 90%. <\/p>\n
The reason Apple Pay is so effective is thanks to its security-focused design. Every transaction uses a device-specific number and a unique, one-time transaction code. This ensures that your actual card number is never shared with merchants, nor is it stored by Apple. <\/p>\n
Each payment also requires authentication through Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode, which makes it difficult for anyone else to authorise a transaction on your device. It\u2019s worth mentioning that Face ID has less than one in a million chance that a random person can unlock your device with their face<\/b>. Moreover, the payment data is encrypted from end to end during processing, which prevents scammers from intercepting any sensitive information. <\/p>\n\nYou can also set a bank card to be your main travel card. <\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
If you aren\u2019t using Apple Pay, consider using it now. To start, open the Wallet app and add your debit or credit card. Then you can use Apple Pay for your next purchase. <\/p>\n
To set it up, open the Wallet app and tap the plus icon in the top right corner. Follow the on-screen instructions to add your card. The next time you need to pay with your card, choose Apple Pay instead. This allows you to enjoy a more secure and protected payment experience every time you pay. <\/p>\n
2. iCloud Private Relay\u00a0<\/h2>\n\nBrowse more anonymously with iCloud Private Relay. <\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
iCloud Private Relay<\/b> is one of the main privacy features you get with an iCloud+ subscription. Its job is to keep your internet browsing private by encrypting the data that leaves your device and by hiding your IP address, which is normally used to track who you are and where you\u2019re browsing from. <\/p>\n
When you visit a website in Safari, your data is sent through two different relays<\/b>. The first relay is run by Apple and can only see your IP address. The second Relay is run by a third party and can only see the website you\u2019re trying to visit. Because no single company can see both pieces of information, it becomes much harder for advertisers, data brokers, or even your internet provider to follow your online activity or build a profile about you.<\/p>\n
Another benefit of Private Relay is that it also hides your DNS requests. In essence, it hides the list of websites you look up, further providing an extra layer of security so no one can peek at what you\u2019re doing online. <\/p>\n
If you want to enable iCloud Private Relay, go to your Apple ID settings, tap iCloud, scroll down until you see iCloud+ features, and turn on Private Relay. <\/p>\n
This feature is available on iPhone, Macs, and iPads.<\/p>\n
3. Hide My Email <\/h2>\n\nUseful for when you don\u2019t want to give out your official email. <\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The second iCloud+ feature worth mentioning is Hide My Email<\/b>, and it\u2019s precisely what it sounds like. Instead of giving websites or apps your real email address, Apple lets you create random, unique email aliases that forward everything to your actual inbox. <\/p>\n
This can be particularly useful for newsletter sign-ups, free trials, online shopping, or any service that you don\u2019t fully trust. If one of these aliases starts getting spammed or the service undergoes a data breach, your actual email remains safe. Furthermore, you can always turn the alias off to ensure you are no longer associated with the compromised email. <\/p>\n
Hide My Email can be managed under the iCloud settings or automatically used when signing up for new services with the \u201cSign in with Apple\u201d feature. You can have a look at all the different aliases currently in use within the iCloud settings tab, and you can even label each alias so you\u2019ll know exactly which website leaked or misused your info. <\/p>\n
This feature is available on iPhone, Macs, and iPads.<\/p>\n
4. Call and Message screening <\/h2>\n\nUseful for those who seem to get plenty of spam calls and messages. <\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
In iOS 26, Apple added Call Screening<\/b> and on-device spam protection<\/b> in Messages to help cut down scam calls and spam texts. Call Screening now forces unknown callers to state their name and reason before your phone even rings. You\u2019ll even get to see the recorded message and then decide if you want to pick up. This can be useful in knowing which calls you should answer and which to ignore.<\/p>\n
As for messages, your iPhone can now filter unknown senders and spam into separate folders using on-device processing, so nothing is sent to Apple\u2019s servers. If a message is wrongly marked as spam, you can easily move it back and mark the sender as known.<\/p>\n